My husband and I will be on the RS Heart of Italy tour that starts on October 7th. Anyone else out there booked for the same? I'm curious to learn about my fellow travelers. : )
Posted by
Dallas, United States
707 posts
ETBD used to send a list of tour participants to all tour members about a month before the tour begins. I'm assuming they still do. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
fort wayne, in, usa
10 posts
That's why I love this help line. You find out all sorts of things! Thanks! I'll be patient and wait for ETBD information.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
62 posts
Sheryl,
RS does send out a list of names but no personal information ( age, home state, relations (husband/wife etc.),occupation, how many tours they have done...) We took the Spain/Morocco in June and would have liked to know something more than names. We did exchange e-mails at the end of the tour which was nice but they have stopped giving out info ahead of time for security reasons ( according to our guide). Loved Italy ( on our own with another couple) and would love to go back. Have a great time!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32324 posts
sheryl,
As the others mentioned, you'll receive a list of the other tour members about a month prior to departure. However, the list only includes names but you'll learn be able to obtain more details once the tour starts.
Neither ETBD nor their Guides are allowed to distribute address, E-mail or other information even between tour members who agree to this. As the others have said, this is something to do with "privacy regulations", but of course there's a "legal component" to the policy as well. Since the tour is taking place in various countries in Europe and operated by a U.S.-based company, I'm not sure which privacy regulations are involved???
You'll probably find that one of your fellow tour members will agree to gather E-mail addresses for everyone in the group and distribute it to everyone. Perhaps you'll end up being the "volunteer" that takes care of that? I'm not sure I understand why that process is more acceptable under the "privacy regulations"???
When you receive the tour member details, you'll also learn which Guide will be leading your tour. I'd be interested to know, if you happen to remember to send me a PM when you receive the info.
Happy Travels!
Posted by
Andover, MA, USA
559 posts
I was told that Privacy laws (like HIPPA,although this is not a Health issue) was the reason they could no longer supply info. ahead of time, so trying to check here on the Helpline is a great alternative (I "met" a couple online beforehand and then we semi-coincidentally ended up meeting in the airport on the way to my tour) - it was nice to have a "familiar face" before the trip started. Have fun on your trip!
Posted by
OP
fort wayne, in, usa
10 posts
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I was curious to find out the make up of our group (ie: ages, occupations, etc) and thought maybe others would see the post and give basic info. I'm one of those curious types who loves to find out as much about who, what, where, when...ahead of time as possible. I'll just have to pack my patience and wait. : )
Thanks again!